This Cylindrical Beach Dwelling Offers Crazy-Good Vibes

"Bach" is a word New Zealanders use to describe a modest holiday house — basically, what we'd call a "beach shack." When a client approached Austin Maynard Architects, they challenged the team to create a unique vacation home in the "bach" style. With a radius of about 16 feet, the cozy two-bedroom property is situated in the vast sand dunes of the serene coastline at St. Andrews Beach in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Since the home has no nearby neighbors, the team took full advantage of the expansive views, constructing a circular structure with floor-to-ceiling windows and an open interior without traditional walls. The footprint is fairly cozy: The ground floor measures 839 square feet, while the top floor is about 650 square feet. Although the finished product — a modern, innovative design — is far from what we'd call a "shack," it embodies the type of easy and carefree living all beachside dwellings should have.

Many "bach"-style homes were built in the midcentury with recycled and found materials. Continuing this spirit of sustainability, Austin Maynard Architects opted to equip the house with rooftop solar panels. A cylindrical tank on the property collects rainwater, which is used to water the garden.

One of the most challenging aspects of the construction was the shifting sand, which required the construction team to install deep footings. Inside the home, shiplap timber lining boards give the home a coastal appeal.